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Title: Mindfulness in Plain English by Henepola Gunaratana, Henepola Gunaratana, Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, Henepola ISBN: 0-86171-321-4 Publisher: Wisdom Publications Pub. Date: September, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.91 (46 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Lucid, enjoyable instruction on insight meditation
Comment: As stated on page 1 of this book, this is a "how to" manual. It does not expound on the philosophy and theoretical aspects of Buddhism (as is also stated on the first page), but instead explains how one can start the practice of meditation. The concept of mindfulness as the practice of "living in the moment" is presented in an engaging, conversational manner.
The first chapter, "Meditation: Why Bother?" establishes the tone that meditation is an effective means to profoundly change the way one approaches life. I happen to follow a faith other than Buddhism, and the principles put forth in this book have a universal appeal that should alienate no one. Additionally, the writing has a contemporary style and the subject is presented as a practice that anyone can cultivate and apply to their daily lives. This is impressive when one considers the author was ordained as a Buddhist monk in 1939 at the age of twelve.
Chapters two and three describe what meditation is and what it isn't, giving beginners a clear idea of what they can expect from the rest of the book (and from insight meditation in general). The remainder of the text lays out the specifics of the practice such as how to sit, how to focus on the breath and how to deal with problems and distractions. The final sixty-or-so pages discuss the concept of mindfulness and its application in everyday life, both as a means of self-regard and for the development of relations with others.
I highly recommend this book with its clear, engaging instruction and straightforward presentation of mindfulness meditation. It would be a worthy addition to the collection of anyone interested in this topic.
Rating: 5
Summary: Exactly what the Title Says it is...
Comment: Sometimes when I pick up titles on meditation, yoga, or other practices associated with Eastern philosophy, mysticism or relgion, I am overcome with the author's inability to say what they mean in language that is useful to the rest of us. My relief was enormous, therefore, when a friend gave me this book by Venerable Henepola Gunaratana! This book is exactly what the title implies...easy to read and understand because it is not written in mystic hokum, rather it is written in plain english. The result is a manual for the beginning student of meditation that is sufficient to get you well on your way to benefitting from the practice of Insight Meditation.
In "Mindfulness" you will gain an understanding of what mindfullness is, how to cultivate it both during sitting practice and the rest of the time, tips on how to sit and how to overcome some of the most common distractions (including your feet going to sleep and your back hurting), and what to look for and what to avoid. I have not been practicing meditation for long, and this book was of enormous value in helping me identify the things I was doing that served as barriers to effective insight meditation, as well as giving me ideas on how to enhance the effectiveness of my meditation.
This is an extremely practical book for the western practitioner. It draws heavily upon the Buddhist paradigm, but the techniques for effective meditation cross all sect boundaries, and the beginning practitioner of any faith will find this book of enormous benefit. I would strongly encourage the reader to suppliment this book with "The Miracle of Mindfulness" by Thich Nhat Hahn. The two together are a delightfully easy to read but complete and well rounded introduction to the practices of Insight Meditation. If you want to know how but don't want to hire a Yogi to translate, this book is the place to start.
Rating: 5
Summary: An excellent book in so many ways..
Comment: This book is fabulous! It's written in a non-condisending way, very much "plain english". A fabulous step on the path to enlightenment!
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Title: Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness : Walking the Buddha's Path by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana ISBN: 0861711769 Publisher: Wisdom Pubns Pub. Date: May, 2001 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: The Heart of Buddhist Meditation: Satipatthna: A Handbook of Mental Training Based on the Buddha's Way of Mindfulness, With an Anthology of Relevant Texts Translated from the Pali and by Nyanaponika, Nyanaponika Thera ISBN: 0877280738 Publisher: Red Wheel/Weiser Pub. Date: December, 1976 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: Breath by Breath by Larry Rosenberg ISBN: 1570623503 Publisher: Shambhala Pub. Date: 22 June, 1999 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula ISBN: 0802130313 Publisher: Grove Press Pub. Date: April, 1986 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: Wherever You Go, There You Are : Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life by Jon Kabat-Zinn ISBN: 0786880708 Publisher: Hyperion Pub. Date: 01 September, 1995 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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